Overview & Reviews

Although millions of full-size pickup trucks are sold each year, only a fraction of them actually see an off-road trail, a large travel trailer or a boat ramp. The rest are daily drivers that make an occasional trip to Home Depot for 2x4s and patio furniture. For those consumers who desire a less bulky, less thirsty alternative that can still handle those occasional jobs, there's the Honda Ridgeline. This four-door ("crew cab") pickup truck has a number of distinctive features and, true to Honda's philosophy, it makes sense for smart consumers.

Current Honda Ridgeline
The Honda Ridgeline pickup is available in just one four-door body style. There are five trim levels: RT, Sport, RTS, RTL and top-of-the line SE. The Ridgeline's sole powertrain is a 250-horsepower V6 mated to a five-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is standard.

Standard feature highlights for the base RT include a power-sliding rear window, air-conditioning, a 60/40-split lift-up rear seat, a rearview camera, full power accessories, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player. Moving up through the other trims adds luxuries such as alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power driver seat, upgraded audio systems, heated seats, leather seating and a navigation system with voice recognition and Bluetooth phone connectivity.

Rather than having a separate cab and bed, the Ridgeline's body unites the two. The Ridgeline's architecture combines the techniques of both unibody and full-frame construction. All Ridgelines include a hidden trunk in the cargo bed that doubles as an ice chest, a dent-proof bedliner, a four-wheel independent suspension (for a smoother ride and more agile handling) and a trailer hitch. Maximum towing capacity stands at 5,000 pounds.

In all but the most taxing situations, performance is respectable, and on the open highway the Honda Ridgeline is an effortless and quiet cruiser. As such, it is an ideal road trip vehicle, especially when said trip involves carrying bulky items. That easy-going demeanor, along with comfortable seats, plentiful storage cubbies, sound ergonomics and a relatively manageable size make the Honda Ridgeline a viable option as the sole family vehicle. While the cabin provides sedan-like comfort, the cargo bed effortlessly transports things such as camping gear or lawn supplies. Criticisms include the Ridgeline's aversion to off-road adventures, where its lack of a low-range gear and a tendency to bottom out don't help when tackling more rugged trails. Fuel economy for a V6-powered pickup is also disappointing.

If these shortcomings are meaningful to you, then you'll want to consider a pickup with true truck DNA. But if all you really need is the passenger space of an SUV and the utility of a pickup truck, the Ridgeline is an excellent choice.

Used Honda Ridgeline Models
The Ridgeline was introduced for the 2006 model year, available in RT, RTS and RTL trim levels. The following year the chrome-accented RTX debuted. There were only minor features updates until '09, when the RTX trim was dropped and the exterior and interior styling was updated.

Things stayed pat until 2012, when a new grille design and a new Sport trim level debuted, the latter slotted between the RT and RTS trims. That year also saw minor aerodynamic improvements and engine tweaks that boosted highway mileage by a single mpg. The following year brought a standard rearview camera for all trim levels.

User Reviews:

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  paying attention - 2018 Honda Ridgeline
  By rich - August 2 - 4:01 pm

  radio control area could definately be improved

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  Honda made some great improvements but missed some - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By lazerbeam - July 14 - 12:03 pm

  This is my second Ridgeline the first one was a 2007. It many bumps and warts but the 2017 fixed a lot of the issues. The gas mileage has improved significantly where I can easily get 21 mpg around town and 28 on the highway (which beats the EPA estimates). The ride, handling, power and acceleration have improved dramatically. Honda kept the great lockable trunk in the bed that is quite large and can double as an ice chest. The towing capacity has not changed, but I really didn’t buy this vehicle to tow anything other than a light capacity utility trailer. The fit and finish is Honda; quality materials, fit and finish as is always expected from them. But for all of Honda vaunted design and engineering prowess, they in my estimation missed the mark on several things. First off the navigation system is nothing more than a “Mickey Mouse” Garmin that has been bloated to the point of nearly impossible usefulness. First off, there is this beautiful 8” color screen that has these jumbo marquees and icons that reduce the overall useful height to roughly 3 ½”. What a waste of space. The marquees contain the street name/highway you are on or the name of an upcoming intersection. The size of the lettering is so large a blind person might almost be able to read it. Thus the need for the wide marquees. In the bottom corners there are two marquees (one each side) that consume 2/3rds the width of the screen and are about ¾” high. One contains the current altitude and the other the direction of travel. You can swap the data back and forth, but cannot turn them off. As with the marquee at the top of the screen they also contain large letters and numbers that are out of proportion to their usefulness. There are various large icons, some of which can be turned off floating around the map surface as well. The biggest issue with the navigation system is its interface. It is one of the most convoluted, un-intuitive ones I’ve ever had the displeasure of using. The next issue I have with the 2017 Ridgeline is the rear doors. Like many SUVs, the back row seats are more for kids than adults except for short jaunts around town. The problem is the rear doors only open about 65 to 70 degrees at most making entry and exit into the back seat for anyone but a kid an act of gymnastics. I can’t believe Honda could not come up with a better design than this. My final gripe is the lack of locking tailgate. I’m overly concerned that someone could steal the tailgate. There attachment points are somewhat complicated and it would take a highly determined and knowledge individual some amount of time and effort to take it off. The issue for me, and probably many other 2017 Ridgeline owners is installing a tonneau cover and securing contents in the bed. Honda offers, and I might add a rather expensive, folding tonneau cover for the 2017 Ridgeline. No drilling or rail attachments are required, and when the rear third of the cover is folded up the trunk lid opens all the way without any interference. I will admit that it is not 100% watertight but it is good enough for the average person. The tonneau cover as with the tailgate is not lockable. If the tailgate was lockable and with the tonneau cover down and clamped one could not get into the pickup bed without a key. Thus I could go to several shopping destinations, put things in my pickup bed and secure them until I was ready to unload. Pros: Great gas mileage Very good power and acceleration Quality fit, finish and materials Exceptional riding comfort and handling Cons: Poor navigation system and interface Poor rear door entry space Non-lockable tailgate

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  Ditto - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Jim - June 5 - 3:57 pm

  I have to echo most of the other glowing reviews that drivers of the 17 Ridgeline are saying. Most clever truck on the market by far. Only vehicle Ive ever owned where people in parking lots come up and ask "what kind of truck is that, it looks great" or "I saw you open the trunk in the bed, that is so cool!" Ride is great, seats are comfortable, and gas mileage is impressive. I would have only 2 minor complaints: 1) rear doors dont open wide enough. Theres lots of space in the back with the seats folded up but the doors dont open wide enough to put a single large item in back, even though theres enough room inside. 2) the display is disappointing, hard to navigate and read, especially while driving. Not intuitive at all. Also, the blue tooth voice operation is sketchy and unreliable, not nearly as good as my 08 Camry. But again, these are MINOR compared to the overall greatness of the rest of the truck. Considered Tacoma, Frontier, and Canyon, but waited to buy until the 17 Ridgeline was available. So glad I did and intend to keep it for a long, long time.

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  If a Ford F150 and a Honda Accord had a baby.... - 2018 Honda Ridgeline
  By Jeff Behm - April 19 - 11:28 am

  ...it would be like this. Overall, the 2018 Ridgeline is an excellent utility vehicle. Lets say you need something more versatile than a typical SUV, but you dont really need a full-on, full-size pickup truck. The Ridgeline may be your perfect choice, as it was for me. I can carry sheets of plywood in the bed, my dog in the crew cab area (comfortably & safely) and the front seat area is very roomy and comfortable. Plus, this "truck" rides and handles way better than any full size pickup Ive driven. It handles & drives pretty much like a larger Accord -- which is to say -- really well. So far I am averaging about 22 mpg on regular gas, but my previous experience with Hondas ( 6 of them) tells me that after break-in, the gas mileage should rise about 10 to 15 %. On the highway, Ive gotten 24.5 with the Eco button on. I just LOVE the lockable, HUGE trunk in the rear of the bed. Its so useful! Gripes? Although the engine has plenty of power, you really have to boot the accelerator to access that power. Not much down low. The lack of a volume knob on the infotainment system is just plain dumb. The touchscreen does not react fast enough, and can be distracting while driving. Honda needs to bring back the volume knob and tuning knob. The infotainment set up on current Mazdas (like my 2017 CX-5) is much better & easier to use. Also the paint job on the vehicle is very mediocre, and not what it should be on a $40K vehicle. Doesnt really have too much shine or depth to it. Paint on current Mazdas & Nissans is MUCH nicer. Finally, I had a serious airbag safety system failure, just ninety minutes into owning the vehicle. Luckily, my originating Honda dealer and my local Honda dealer were wonderful in helping me, but it took a week to fix the vehicle and in the meantime Honda of America was no help at all. Very disappointing. Finally, they came through, but it was really my two dealers that I worked with who saved the day.

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  Mouse House - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By penguinn - January 24 - 8:16 pm

  If you are considering using the Ridgeline off road or where there may be rodents, be advised that they have easy access to the interior of the vehicle. Funny that anyone would use a 4 wheel drive outside of the city. Honda of America does not consider this a problem. If you plan to use the Ridgeline in an area with Hanta Virus carrying mice, bring along a cat. Although Honda corporation is dodging this issue, our dealer is stepping up and trying to solve what should be a detail of basic design. We are very pleased with them. Honda Corporates position is that any damage to the truck or your health from rodent infestation is not their responsibility. Consider this carefully.

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  Great truck. - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Kula_Jon - January 10 - 12:20 am

  Im not sure what others are saying but I tow my landscaping trailer and carry a full load of tools in the "trunk" and I have no problems what so ever. Its not a racing car but its so quiet that Im usually going 60 before I know it. Everyone who has driven with me has commented on how nice it rides. It isnt the usual truck configuration but once I got used to it, I love it! Most naysayers seem to be comparing this to a 8 cylinder behemoth. Its not, its a smallish 6 but, like I said, it powers me and my equipment along just fine. I drive up a loose gravel driveway, for one of my jobs, that has a steep angle.

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  new look to a familiar ride - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By john connell - September 16 - 5:34 am

  This is a great everyday driver, the ultimate do everything, versatile vehicle.

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  Honda Ridgeline - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By E. Gray - May 23 - 2:40 pm

  Just drove the Ridgline 2,700 miles. Front seats very comfortable for ten hours of steady driving. Ride comfort was pleasant. Avg mpg 21 incl mostly interstate at 65-70 mph. Loved the lockable in bed trunk. Recommend this Honda product for anyone needing the usefulness of truck for small homeowner type jobs and one not requiring a comfortable back seat.

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  Its a Honda! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Doug - May 17 - 8:30 am

  What can I say... its a Honda. And for you non-Honda owners, that is a very good thing. The Ridgeline is built to last, and with usability in mind. They seem to have thought of nearly everything, from rubber floor mats that you can get dirty, to storage pockets everywhere, to a composite bed. If I had one complaint, it would be that the base RT model has too many standard features, making the base truck too expensive in my opinion. The Ridgeline definitely sells itself if you take a one for a test drive.

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  Nice mid size truck - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Shutty - May 14 - 8:43 am

  This is the nicest riding mid sized truck on the market. Im very happy with mine.